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Locked myself out

1987 grand villa. Used the sliding inside lock and now I cannot open the door with the key. Suggestions. Thank you

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #1
Can you have someone get in thru a window, and try to open from the inside.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #2
Not sure which lock You used? The Keyed Dead Bolt, or the Door Latch key lock? Try Pushing in on the door as you try to unlock it, sometimes the weather seal/stripping create pressure against the door and the lock will not turn freely....
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake


Re: Locked myself out

Reply #4
Hope 1 window is unlocked and you know the rest. I did that once in my gv.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #5
True story, we were at the GV reunion last May and had a windshield replaced while we were there.
Our techs had gone to lunch so I was sitting in our front seat just watching the goings on the shop.
The GV parked one stall over and in front of us had a tech working it's door lock, he slammed the door shut and it locked.
I watch as another tech comes over, then another, and yet another. I called the wife up to watch at this point.
The senior guy comes over and looks at the situation and walks away towards the office.
He returned shortly with what I considered to be the smallest guy in the shop.
Told the wife watch this.
Senior tech bumps the slide window and opens it right up, two other guys almost literally toss the little guy in.
A few seconds later the door opens much to the relief of somewhat anxious techs.
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #6
1987 grand villa. Used the sliding inside lock and now I cannot open the door with the key. Suggestions. Thank you

Sure.  Use your hand or your shoulder to bump the door and make the latch catch again, then use your key to release the deadbolt.

Or, have a second person person apply pressure to the key while you keep bumping the door to take pressure off the deadbolt.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #7
We still need to know WHICH lock is still in place.  Keyed or slide lock.

If sliding, it can either be removed or a small "tang" can be screwed into the face plate that prevents the bolt from moving. The latter is what I did.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #8
We still need to know WHICH lock is still in place.  Keyed or slide lock.

If sliding, it can either be removed or a small "tang" can be screwed into the face plate that prevents the bolt from moving. The latter is what I did.
There is only one lock that will lock you out. The deadbolt cannot because it needs a key from the outside to lock and there is one slider that won't let the door close if it is slid. The other slider uses the door key to open which is why I have one hidden outside. The door SHOULD open with the key. Taking it off the hinges is ugly. Real ugly.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #9
In other rvs, I've seen jammed deadbolt locks freed up after getting in, by either re airing up the rv, or getting it on more level ground. 

In other words a slight torque of the chassis can cause enough mismatch in the lock deadbolt recess to cause it to jamb.  If the lock jambs, I would check to make sure the front cap has not become un attached.  If jammed, you will probably see on the striker plate where it is binding.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #10
Hope 1 window is unlocked and you know the rest. I did that once in my gv.
I keep a spare set zip tied and hidden under the coach just in case something like this should happen. (Good luck finding them to anyone that would try! 🤣🤣🤣)
1994 U240 3116 Cat 6 speed Allison transmission

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #11
I keep a spare set zip tied and hidden under the coach just in case something like this should happen. (Good luck finding them to anyone that would try! 🤣🤣🤣)


The problem I have is finding them myself after I hide them.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #12
I got locked inside mine one time, yes it's possible and not an age thing. Could not pull the inside handle to open the door it was bound up in the linkage inside the door. Had all my tools outside in a compartment. Luckily I had my great grandson with me so I lowered him out a window to fetch my tools. Had to remove inside trim panel to access latch assembly. The linkage was bent just enough that the handle would not operate like it should. Straightened out the bent linkage and door worked fine since. Hope this helps if someone else has this happen. Either keep your tools inside or be sure you have a kid with you. Sure glad I didn't have to climb out the window myself.
Larry
Larry & Debbie Town
2000 U320 4210 
Previous 88 GV

 

Re: Locked myself out

Reply #13
 I just found a hide a key behind the front tire . In addition to the set I have zip tied in the propane room .